Compact Playpen

ABSTRACT

The present disclosure describes a playpen device that is convertible between a collapsed configuration and a deployed configuration. The playpen device includes a plurality of semi-rigid supports and a shell material. The shell material can be independent from the plurality of semi-rigid supports when the playpen device is in the collapsed configuration. When the playpen device is in the deployed configuration, the plurality of semi-rigid supports provide a frame for a playpen to which the shell material is coupled. Additionally, when in the deployed configuration, the shell material defines a volume having a bottom surface, a top surface that is open to the surrounding environment, and a side wall extending from the bottom surface to the top surface.

BACKGROUND

Playpens, playards, and cribs come in portable varieties. For example, afold-up playpen generally includes a single-unit collapsible frame thatcan be collapsed down for storing or transporting and then set up foruse as a playard or a crib for a child. These fold-up playpens provideconvenience when compared to a traditional crib, but are heavy andlarge, even when collapsed down. For example, fold-up playpens are toolarge to be used as a carry-on suitcase on a commercial airplane flightand are often checked as an individual item instead. However, in partbecause of their size, fold-up playpens are sturdy and easy to set up,particularly because the frame is a single unit.

Thus, fold-up playpens offer a sturdy frame that is easy to set up, butare bulky and heavy to provide these features. While fold-up playpensare useful in some situations, they are inconvenient for others.Therefore, a need exists for a light-weight, portable playpen that canbe simply deployed and disassembled into a small package for storing ortransporting.

This Background introduces a selection of concepts in a simplified formthat are further described below. This Background is not an admission ofprior art and should not be considered as such.

SUMMARY

This disclosure claims priority to, and incorporates by reference, U.S.provisional application 62/669,011 entitled “Compact Playpen with anInflatable Mattress” and having common inventorship as the presentapplication. This disclosure describes a convertible playpen device thatcan be converted between a collapsed configuration and a deployedconfiguration. This disclosure also describes techniques for convertinga playpen device from a collapsed configuration to a deployedconfiguration. The described convertible playpen device improves onconventional portable playpens by providing a relatively lightweightplaypen that, when in a collapsed configuration, is relatively compactcompared to a collapsed conventional portable playpen that is similarlysized when in a deployed configuration.

In some example implementations, a playpen device is convertible betweena collapsed configuration and a deployed configuration. The playpendevice includes a plurality of semi-rigid supports and a shell materialthat is independent from the plurality of semi-rigid supports when inthe collapsed configuration. For example, the semi-rigid supports may befully separable from the shell material. When the playpen device is inthe deployed configuration, the plurality of semi-rigid supports providea frame for a playpen to which the shell material is coupled. The shellmaterial then defines a volume having a bottom surface, a top surfacethat is open to the surrounding environment, and a side wall extendingfrom the bottom surface to the top surface. The side wall may have across-section (substantially parallel to the bottom surface) that issubstantially in the shape of a rectangle, a rounded rectangle, an oval,a circle, a triangle, a pentagon, a hexagon, an octagon, etc.

In some implementations, when in the deployed configuration, at leasttwo of the plurality of semi-rigid supports intersect at least twicealong the side wall of the described playpen device. The intersectingsemi-rigid supports may form two sides of a generally triangular shapewith an edge of the bottom surface forming the third side of the shape.

In some implementations, the sidewall includes an openable portionpositioned between an intersection of at least two of the plurality ofsemi-rigid supports and an edge of the bottom surface. For example, theopenable portion may be positioned within a generally triangular shapeformed between the at least two of the plurality of semi-rigid supportsand the bottom surface. In some implementations, another openableportion positioned between another intersection of the at least two ofthe plurality of semi-rigid supports and an edge of the bottom surface.For example, the openable portion may be positioned on a side of thesidewall that is opposite the other openable portion.

In some implementations, when in the deployed configuration, the sidewall includes one or more openable portions that are configured to beopenable only from the exterior of the volume. For example, the openableportion may attach to the side wall on an exterior surface of the sidewall such that the openable portion may be detached at the exteriorsurface of the side wall. In another example, the openable portions areconfigured with a zipper to open and close the openable portions and atab to move the zipper is only located on the exterior of the side wall.Additionally or alternatively, the openable portions are configured toengage with a lock, on one of the side wall and the bottom surface, suchthat the openable portion can be locked or unlocked from the exterior ofthe volume.

In some implementations, the top surface is non-planar. For example, thetop surface is concave along one or both of a length and a width of thetop surface. Additionally or alternatively, the top surface is convexalong one or both of a length and a width of the top surface. In aparticular example the top surface is convex along one of the width andthe length and is concave along the other of the width and the length.

In some implementations, when the playpen device is in a deployedconfiguration, the top surface has a width and a length and the bottomsurface has a width and a length. In particular implementations, thewidth of the top surface is narrower than the width of the bottomsurface. In other, or the same, particular implementations, the lengthof the top surface is narrower than the length of the bottom surface. Insome of these implementations, an area of the bottom surface is at leastdouble an area of a scalar projection (i.e., an area measured in a planeparallel to the bottom surface) of the top surface (e.g., an opening inthe shell material).

In some implementations, when in the deployed configuration, theplurality of semi-rigid supports extend from the bottom surface to thetop surface. In some of these implementations, the semi-rigid supportsextend from the bottom surface at or adjacent to a corner of the bottomsurface, to the top surface, and back to the bottom surface at oradjacent to a different corner of the bottom surface. Additionally oralternatively, the semi-rigid supports extend from the bottom surface ator adjacent to an edge of the bottom surface, to the top surface, andback to the bottom surface at or adjacent to a different edge of thebottom surface.

In some implementations, when in the deployed configuration, theplurality of semi-rigid supports couple to the shell material byinserting the semi-rigid supports through respective sleeves of theshell material. In some implementations, the semi-rigid supports alsocouple to the shell material by inserting ends of the semi-rigidsupports into end receivers at or adjacent to an edge or corner of thebottom surface.

In some implementations, the semi-rigid supports are collapsible at aplurality of joints. The semi-rigid supports may be broken down intosmaller portions having smaller lengths. The smaller portions may becompletely separable or may be connected with a string, elastic band, orother non-rigid connector.

In some implementations, the playpen device further includes a mattressthat is sized and shaped to fit on top of the bottom surface. Themattress pad may be removable. In such implementations of the mattresspad, the mattress pad may include a first coupling member configured toengage with a second coupling member of an interior of the bottomsurface. Additionally or alternatively, the mattress pad may include oneor both of an inflatable bladder and a foam material inside of a waterresistant exterior material.

In some implementations, the playpen device further includes a shadefabric that, when in the deployed configuration, is suspended above thetop surface and is generally parallel with the bottom surface.

In some implementations, the semi-rigid supports substantially consistof aluminum.

This Summary introduces a selection of concepts in a simplified formthat are further described below in the Detailed Description. As such,this Summary is not intended to identify essential features of theclaimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used to narrow thescope of the claimed subject matter. One or more of the describedfeatures may be included in an implementation of a playpen device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The detailed description is described with reference to the accompanyingfigures. In the figures, the left-most digit(s) of a reference numberidentifies the figure in which the reference number first appears. Theuse of the same reference numbers in different instances in thedescription and the figures may indicate similar or identical items.Entities represented in the figures may be indicative of one or moreentities and thus reference may be made interchangeably to single orplural forms of the entities in the discussion.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an example compact playpen device shownin a deployed configuration.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the example compact playpen device of FIG. 1showing its width.

FIG. 3 is a side view of the example compact playpen device of FIG. 1showing its length.

FIG. 4 is a top view of the example compact playpen device of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a bottom view of the example compact playpen device of FIG. 1

FIG. 6 is flow chart showing a method of converting a playpen devicefrom a collapsed configuration to a deployed configuration.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Overview

The described implementations of the playpen device provide a playpendevice that is light-weight and compact when in a collapsedconfiguration when compared to conventional playpens of similar sizewhen deployed. This allows a parent to bring the compact playpen devicein a small bag rather than lug around a heavy and bulky playpen whentraveling.

In a particular implementation of a compact playpen device, the compactplaypen device includes two collapsible poles that are collapsible at aplurality of joints. The two collapsible poles serve as semi-rigidsupports that frame the compact playpen device when in a deployedconfiguration. The compact playpen device also includes a shell materialthat attaches to the two collapsible poles to form a bottom surface anda side wall that extends generally upwardly, and slightly inwardly, fromthe exterior edge or edges of the bottom surface. Thus, the shellmaterial provides a bounded area for a child to play or sleep. The shellmaterial also defines a volume, but does not fully enclose the volumebecause it provides an opening at the top of the volume. This way, aparent can set a child into the deployed compact playpen device via theopening at the top of the volume and remove the child in the same way.The compact playpen device may also include a mattress for addedcomfort, which may be fitted to the bottom surface of the volume toprevent a child from becoming stuck under or next to the mattress, andwhich may be removable for easier cleaning

Example Implementation

FIGS. 1-5 illustrate an example implementation of a compact playpendevice 100 in a deployed configuration. The compact playpen device 100includes a plurality of semi-rigid supports 102 and a shell material 104that, when the playpen device 100 is in a deployed configuration,defines a volume 106 interior to the shell material 104. For example,the shell material 104 may include a bottom surface and a sidewall thatextends generally upwardly from an exterior edge of the bottom surface.

The plurality of semi-rigid supports 102 may comprise 2 semi-rigidsupports as shown in FIG. 1, or may include 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, or moresemi-rigid supports. For example, additional supports may be added tothe implementation shown in FIG. 1 at ends of the compact playpen deviceby coupling one end of an additional support to the shell material 104at or adjacent to a bottom surface and coupling a second end of theadditional support to another semi-rigid support, at or adjacent to atop edge of the sidewall.

The semi-rigid supports 102 may comprise, or substantially consist of, ahard plastic or a metal material (not necessarily including joints,which are discussed below), such as aluminum, steel, a metal with a highcarbon concentration, to provide a stiff and solid support that is notinflexible. Additionally or alternatively, the semi-rigid supports 102may be hollow to reduce their weight.

The semi-rigid supports 102 may be collapsible at a plurality of joints108 (which may be a metal material or another material) to allow thesemi-rigid supports 102 to be broken down into a plurality of shortsections when the compact playpen device 100 is in the collapsedconfiguration. For example, the joints 108 may be about 12, 15, 18, 21,or 24 inches apart along a length of the semi-rigid supports 102.Additionally or alternatively, the semi-rigid supports 102 may intersectalong a side wall of the shell material 104. For example, as shown inFIG. 1, the two semi-rigid supports 102 intersect along two oppositesides of the sidewall of the shell material.

The semi-rigid supports 102 can be coupled to the shell material 104 viaone or more of a sleeve 110 that is an integral part of the shellmaterial 104, end receivers 112 at or adjacent to an edge or corner of abottom surface of the shell material 104, and an intersection coupler114. The sleeve 110 may include one or more loops or extended loopsthrough which the semi-rigid supports 102 may pass. The end receivers112 may, for example, include a pin or a narrow loop such thatrespective ends of the semi-rigid supports 102 attach, but cannot movelongitudinally past the end receivers 112. The intersection coupler 114may include two or more of a loop through which a semi-rigid support 102can pass or a partial loop into which a semi-rigid support 102 can fit.The intersection coupler 114 may be integrally coupled to the shellmaterial 104 such that it couples the shell material 104 to two or moresemi-rigid supports 102.

In some implementations, such as in FIG. 1, at least some of theplurality of semi-rigid supports 102 extend from the bottom surface 118,at or adjacent to an edge or corner, to the top surface of the definedvolume. Also, as shown, the semi-rigid supports 102 may return from thetop surface to the bottom surface 118 at or adjacent to another edge orcorner.

The shell material 104 may also include one or more openable portions116. The openable portions 116 may be positioned, as shown in FIG. 1,between an intersection of at least two semi-rigid supports and an edgeof the bottom surface of the shell material 104. This may providesupport to the opening created when the openable portion 116 is opened.The one or more openable portions 116 may include two or more openableportions 116 that are, for example, on opposite sides of the sidewall ofthe shell material 104. The openable portions 116 may be configured tobe openable only from the exterior of the volume defined by the shellmaterial 104. For example, the openable portions may be configured witha zipper to open and close the openable portions with the tab to movethe zipper being only located on the exterior of the sidewall.Alternatively, the openable portions may be configured with a hook andloop or hook and hook fastener, a push button, a string, a hook lock, orother type of fastener. Additionally or alternatively, the openableportions may be configured to engage with a lock, on one of the sidewall and the bottom surface, such that the openable portion can belocked or unlocked from the exterior of the volume.

FIG. 2 shows an end of the compact playpen device showing its width. Thesidewall of the shell material 104 includes the illustrated end surfaceextending from a bottom surface 118 of the shell material 104. The endsurface has a width 120 along the bottom edge adjacent to the bottomsurface 118 of the shell material 104. A top edge 122 has a width 124defining an edge of the top surface of the volume defined by the shellmaterial 104 from an end perspective. The width 124 may be narrower thanthe width 120. Additionally or alternatively, the top edge 122 maydefine the top surface of the volume as convex along its width. Further,the top edge of the illustrated end (the “width end”) may be defined byone or more of the plurality of semi-rigid supports.

The end surface of the shell material 104 may also include one or moreportions that are transparent. For example the transparent portions maybe made of a mesh material that does not allow the child to passthrough, but through which a parent can view inside of the definedvolume.

FIG. 3 shows the compact playpen device 100 showing its length. Thesidewall of the shell material 104 includes the illustrated side surfaceextending from a bottom surface 118 of the shell material 104. The sidesurface has a length 126 along the bottom edge adjacent to the bottomsurface 118 of the shell material 104. A top edge 128 has a length 130defining an edge of the top surface of the volume defined by the shellmaterial 104 from a side perspective. The length 130 may be narrowerthan the length 126. Additionally or alternatively, the top edge 128 maydefine the top surface of the volume as concave along its length.Further, the top edge of the illustrated end (the “length end”) mayinclude a portion that is defined by the shell material 104 withoutdirect support of one or more of the plurality of semi-rigid supports.

In some implementations, one or both of the width 120 and the length 126are wider or longer than the width 124 or the length 130, respectively.In some of these implementations, the bottom surface has an area (e.g.,approximately width 120×length 126) that is at least 1.5×, 2×, or 2.5×an area of a scalar projection of the top surface onto the bottomsurface (e.g., approximately width 124×length 130).

Also shown in FIG. 3, the compact playpen device 100 may include a shadefabric 132 such that, when the playpen device 100 is in the deployedconfiguration, the shade fabric 132 is suspended above the top surfaceof the volume defined by the shell material 104. For example, the shadefabric 132 may be suspended via a rigid post coupled to one or more ofthe semi-rigid supports 102 or the intersection coupler 114. The shadefabric 132 may also be waterproof or water resistant.

FIG. 4 is a top view of the compact playpen device 100 that shows thevolume defined by the shell material 104. FIG. 4 also shows a mattress134 that may be included with the compact playpen device 100. Themattress 134 may be sized and shaped to fit on top of the bottom surface118 of the shell material 104. Additionally or alternatively, themattress 134 may be removable to allow for easy cleaning In suchimplementations of the mattress 134, the mattress 134 may include afirst coupling member configured to engage with a second coupling memberof an interior of the bottom surface. For example, the coupling membersmay include one or more of push buttons, hook and loop fasteners, andhook and hook fasteners. Additionally or alternatively, the mattress 134may include one or both of an inflatable bladder and a foam materialinside of a water resistant exterior material. In implementations withan inflatable bladder, the inflatable bladder may be self-inflating,which may be helpful to avoid filling the bladder externally to thevolume and inserting it into position when the mattress 134 has a largerwidth or length than the top surface of the volume.

Although FIGS. 1-5 describe an example implementation 100 of a compactplaypen device 100, other implementations of compact playpen devices arecontemplated. For example, any one or more elements or featuresdescribed above may be combined or omitted from an implementation of acompact playpen device. Thus, the scope of this disclosure includesimplementations having any number of the elements or features describedabove and is not limited to an implementation having each of theelements and features discussed above or shown in the figures.

Example Method

FIG. 6 illustrates a method of converting a playpen device from acollapsed configuration to a deployed configuration. For illustrativepurposes, but not by limitation, the steps of this method may bedescribed relative to the implementation illustrated in FIGS. 1-5.

At operation 602, a plurality of semi-rigid supports are assembled intorespective extended configurations from a collapsed configuration. Forexample, a person assembles the semi-rigid supports 102 by connectingshort sections of the semi-rigid supports 102 at one or more joints 108.In some implementations, the semi-rigid supports include short sectionsthat are shaped in one of at least two shapes. For example, some may bestraight and others may be curved.

At operation 604, the plurality of semi-rigid supports are insertedthough one or more respective sleeves of a shell material. For example,the semi rigid supports 102 are inserted into one or more of the sleeves110 of the shell material 104. The semi rigid supports 102 may also becoupled to one or more end receivers 112 of the shell material 104and/or one or more intersection couplers 114.

In response to the insertion at operation 604, the shell materialdefines a volume having a bottom surface, a top surface that is open tothe surrounding environment, and a side wall extending between thebottom surface and the top surface. In some implementations, at leasttwo of the plurality of semi-rigid supports intersect at least twicealong the side wall. Further, the plurality of semi-rigid supports mayextend from the bottom surface to the top surface. The shell materialand semi rigid supports may also include any of the elements or featuresdescribed in relation to any of the implementations of compact playpendevices discussed herein.

Conclusion

Although the invention has been described in language specific tostructural features and/or methodological acts, it is to be understoodthat the invention defined in the appended claims is not necessarilylimited to the specific features or acts described. Rather, the specificfeatures and acts are disclosed as example forms of implementing theclaimed invention.

1. A playpen device that is convertible between a collapsed configuration and a deployed configuration, the playpen device comprising: a plurality of semi-rigid supports; and a shell material, the shell material independent from the plurality of semi-rigid supports when in the collapsed configuration; wherein, when the playpen device is in the deployed configuration: the plurality of semi-rigid supports provide a frame for a playpen to which the shell material is coupled, and the shell material defines a volume having a bottom surface, a top surface that is open to the surrounding environment, and a side wall extending from the bottom surface to the top surface.
 2. The playpen device of claim 1, wherein, when in the deployed configuration, at least two of the plurality of semi-rigid supports intersect at least twice along the side wall.
 3. The playpen device of claim 2, wherein the sidewall includes an openable portion positioned between an intersection of the at least two of the plurality of semi-rigid supports and an edge of the bottom surface.
 4. The playpen device of claim 2, wherein the sidewall includes two or more openable portions positioned between respective intersections of the at least two of the plurality of semi-rigid supports and an edge of the bottom surface.
 5. The playpen device of claim 1, wherein, when in the deployed configuration, the side wall includes one or more openable portions that are configured to be openable only from the exterior of the volume.
 6. The playpen device of claim 5, wherein the openable portions are configured with a zipper to open and close the openable portions and a tab to move the zipper is only located on the exterior of the side wall.
 7. The playpen device of claim 5, wherein the openable portions are configured to engage with a lock, on one of the side wall and the bottom surface, such that the openable portion can be locked or unlocked from the exterior of the volume.
 8. The playpen device of claim 1, wherein the top surface is concave along its length.
 9. The playpen device of claim 1, wherein, when in the deployed configuration, the top surface has a first width and a first length; the bottom surface has a second width and a second length; and at least one of: the first width is narrower than the second width, and the first length is shorter than the second length.
 10. The playpen device of claim 9, wherein the bottom surface has an area that is at least double an area of a scalar projection of the top surface onto the bottom surface.
 11. The playpen device of claim 1, wherein, when in the deployed configuration, the plurality of semi-rigid supports extend from the bottom surface to the top surface.
 12. The playpen device of claim 1, wherein, when in the deployed configuration, the plurality of semi-rigid supports couple to the shell material by inserting the semi-rigid supports through respective sleeves of the shell material.
 13. The playpen device of claim 1, wherein the semi-rigid supports are collapsible at a plurality of joints
 14. The playpen device of claim 1, further comprising a removable mattress pad that is sized and shaped to fit on top of the bottom surface.
 15. The playpen device of claim 14, wherein the removable mattress pad includes an inflatable bladder.
 16. The playpen device of claim 14, wherein the removable mattress pad includes a foam material inside of a water resistant exterior material
 17. The playpen device of claim 14, wherein the removable mattress pad includes a first coupling member configured to engage with a second coupling member of an interior of the bottom surface.
 18. The playpen device of claim 1, further comprising a shade fabric such that, when in the deployed configuration, the shade fabric is suspended above the top surface.
 19. The playpen device of claim 1, wherein the semi-rigid supports substantially consist of aluminum.
 20. A method of converting a playpen device from a collapsed configuration to a deployed configuration, the method comprising: assembling a plurality a; inserting the plurality of semi-rigid supports through respective sleeves of a shell material; wherein, in response to the insertion: the shell material defines a volume having a bottom surface, a top surface that is open to the surrounding environment, and a side wall extending between the bottom surface and the top surface; at least two of the plurality of semi-rigid supports intersect at least twice along the side wall; and the plurality of semi-rigid supports extend from the bottom surface to the top surface. 